Editor’s Note: The new playoff seeding allows the 3 division winners and the next best team to be seeded based on record. Example: This means that Dallas and San Antonio can grab the top 2 seeds out West. The “number” next to each team represents their playoff seeding.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic – Another crappy year
4-New Jersey – Another year in the crappy division, only this time, it yields them a 4-seed.
Toronto - Their new GM Colangelo, former GM of the Suns, was the architect of the Suns’ fast-paced style, based on speed, shooting, and excellent point guards who can analyze all of the off-ball movement. Colangelo is intent on bringing the same system to Toronto, and I thought he changed over half the team. I was wrong, he dumped 9 players, and got 9 new ones! The Raptors should be an interesting team to watch, but its obviously a complete unknown how quickly everyone will mesh. They certainly have talent with Bosh, TJ Ford, #1 pick Bargiani, backup PG Calderon, Joey Graham from Oklahoma state, and highly regarded newcomers, Euroleaguer Anthony Parker (played at Bradley, 2-time reigning Euroleague MVP) and fellow Euroleaguer Spaniard Jorge Garbajosa. I haven’t seen the 2 Euro pick-ups or the #1 pick, but I’m certainly intrigued to see how this experiment works. It could be a monumental failure, or they could be a big surprise.
Philly – they still have Allen Iverson, and I really like Andre Iguodala. I just don’t see them pushing through to the playoffs. Also, Kevin Ollie is their starting PG, according to NBA.com. Wow, now that’s bad! For those who don’t know, Kevin Ollie has a porn moustache, and makes 4 turnovers per game.
New York – I don’t expect the Knicks, coached by Isiah Thomas to do particularly well, just slightly better than Boston. I’m expecting this year to be a “farewell” tour for Isiah, who I’m assuming, will never be allowed near a professional basketball team again. Also, I must say, what is the deal with Isiah Thomas actually reading and watching the media and then criticizing the media for criticizing Isiah??? Last year, it was Bill Simmons, this year, it was Greg Anthony. If only Isiah understood that: 1) the media’s job is to criticize ; 2) a GM/coach’s job is to not pay attention to them because you increase the risk having more criticism; 3) Isiah Thomas is the laughing stock of the league.
Boston – I just don’t trust the PGs, Telfair and Rondo (rookie from Kentucky). Danny Ainge has given enough grief to Bill Simmons, though Bill Simmons even admits he’s always optimistic, and even has vowed to kill Geogre Lopez for choosing Rajon Rondo in the NBA Celebrity Fantasy league.
Central – Everyone is capable of making the playoffs
2-Cleveland – I’ve gone back and forth a million times on this. But, I see the Cavs taking the 2-spot based on the ever-improving defense of Lebron, and the fact that the Pistons are not as good as last year. Side note: the Cavs were 13-2 last year when Varejao played more than 20 minutes. Granted, he tends to foul out, so if he can work on that, the Cavs should be able to take the division.
3-Detroit – They lost Ben Wallace, which, as I said during the summer, “I believe this hurts their team a lot more than it helps Chicago. Especially since Flip Saunders was coaching last season, player rotations were key to their 60+ win season last year. Granted, Detroit did just sign Nazr Mohammed, who is certainly a good defensive center, but I’m not sure if he’s quick enough to allow the Pistons to use the same defensive schemes as last season.” http://thedawggs.blogspot.com/2006/07/nba-movers-shakers.html However, it’s been announced that Coach Flip Saunders is changing the offense and defense because Ben Wallace is not there, and suppposedly, is installing something similar to what they had in Minnesota (at least offensively). Should be interesting, but I just don’t see another 60-win season.
5-Chicago – The Hitman might get angry about this lower-than-expected seeding, but the Eastern Conference has a lot more depth this year. Anyways, the 5-spot could be very desirable, with a playoff date against New Jersey.
7-Milwaukee – Another really great team. They ditched TJ Ford in favor of their backup PG Mo Williams (he’s also pretty fast), and acquired Charlie Villaneuva. This is an extremely talented team, but their coach last season wasn’t that smart, and I’m expecting him to once again not get as much out of this team as he should.
Indiana – I can’t believe I don’t have Indiana in the playoffs. They added Al Harrington for essentially nothing, and got promising F Shawne Williams from Memphis in the draft. Their PG position is problematic though, and I’m expecting them to be using Marquis Daniels as the starter at some point. In addition, according to nba.com, the Pacers are switching to a “fast-break offense” which is another good move (as it seems like that’s the trend right now). It’s just really difficult for me to see them make the playoffs over any of the other teams, assuming that this really is the year of Darko’s Revenge.
Southeast – Don’t mess with the Twin Towers of a new generation
1-Miami – yes they are good, yes, I never should have doubted Wade.
6-Washington – Another year, another valuable player lost by the Wizards. This time, Jared Jeffries has left (gone to New York). Jeffries was an impressive defensive force who could play 4 different positions. The Wizards got Deshawn Stevenson and Darius Songalia, but its hard for me to see that pushing them into the elite status.
8-Orlando - I really like Darko’s progress in the 2nd half of last season. I’m expecting Orlando to make the leap to the playoffs because of 1) the relative weakness of the rest of the centers in the league, meaning Darko should excel, 2) given that Orlando also has Dwight Howard, which creates an amazing “Twin Tower” scenario, and 3) they finished last season red-hot once they got Darko, and I don’t see why the momentum can’t carry over to tis year.
Atlanta – this year, they will have Speedy Claxton at the point, and Marvin Williams playing more minutes. At some point they have to improve, right? It’s just always next year.
Charlotte – they added the Moustache, Adam Morrison. I still don’t see them competing for a playoff spot, though they have assembled a nice college all-star roster (Okafor, May, Felton, Morrison).
Western Conference
Northwest – somebody has to win this division
4-Minnesota – Every team in this division is flawed in some way. So, I’m going out on a limb and expecting Minnesota to take the division because 1) No one messes with KG, 2) KG will break your legs if you don’t listen to him, 3) Minnesota picked up PG Mike James and super-rookie Randy ‘Nova Foye (I’m putting the ‘Nova in there because I keep mixing him up with Roy from UWashington).
Denver- They somehow got JR Smith, the troubled shooting guard who was a “throw-in” in the Tyson Chandler trade (the Bulls waited only 6 days to ship JR Smith out for two 2nd-round picks http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=nuggetsmoves&prov=st&type=lgns). Now, JR Smith is supposed to start in Denver. Honestly, Denver has a very volatile situation, what with Kenyon Martin being a complete waste of money (and the 1st round picks they gave up to get him). George Karl has had a pretty rough ride with these guys for the last year, and I don’t know if it will get much better.
Utah- This could be a better team, but I didn’t like Deron Williams (Illinois) last year as the PG, and I can’t expect much more from him this year.
Seattle- Another year, another chance for mediocrity.
Portland- Many changes. Just for fun, I looked up their starting 5: PG-Jarrett Jack, SG-Brandon UW Roy, C-Magloire, SF-?, PF-Z. Randolph. I'm not sure what else to say about them, so here’s a Naked Gun quote:
Frank: Well, when I see five weirdos dressed in togas, stabbing a man in the middle of the park in front of a full view of 100 people, I shoot the bastards, that's my policy.
Mayor: That was a Shakesphere In The Park Production of Julius Caesar, you moron! You killed five actors! Good ones!
Southwest – Division of Doom!
2-Dallas- They came so close to pulling it off. I’m
curious whether this will make them hungrier than ever. The only problem once again, is that their division is just brutal, where every team could make the playoffs.3-San Antonio- I’m very tempted to say that the Spurs looked old, the torch has passed, etc., etc., however, they still were the top team in the West last year, and almost took Dallas out in the 2nd round. I find it would only be bittersweet irony for them to have to play in the 2nd round AGAIN this year, despite the rule change on playoff seeding!
6-Houston- If they only stay healthy, they should be able to make the playoffs. Interesting note, the Rockets acquired one of the Greeks that beat the US in the world championships, as well as the combustible Bonzi Wells.
8-NO/Okl. City- Chris Paul, Stojakovic, and D. West should be able to power the Hornets to the playoffs, just 2 years removed from an utter debacle.
Memphis- I feel bad not including the Grizzlies in the playoffs. I still fully support their move to actually gamble a bit, as they picked up Rudy Gay in the draft for the price of Shane Battier. It just won’t pay off this year, especially w/ Pau Gasol missing the first few months.
Pacific – Could be a very competitive division, if it weren’t for Don Nelson
1-Phoenix- Even if Stoudemire only plays half the season, that should be enough to pick up the #1 spot. On a side note, Shawn Marion claims he is “the Matrix” and that Trix are for kids. http://www.nba.com/europelive/marion_060930.html I think if I were in the NBA, I’d call myself “the Gadget” and I’d yell out during the game “Go-go gadget defense!”
5-Sacramento- I fully believe that Ron Artest is going to have an All-star year. It remains to be seen whether anyone else would vote him into the game, but once he got traded to the Kings, he started playing like the ‘baller I used to remember (pre-Brawl).
7-Lakers- Kobe can always take the Lakers to the playoffs, but I don’t believe that adding Radmonivic is enough to take them very far.
Clippers- Cassell tends to have a great first year, and then become suddenly unhappy. In addition, the Clippers are the sucker team that paid for Tim Thomas, who literally played hard for only the playoffs and part of the regular season to get a large contract. Last year, he was so lazy that the Bulls didn’t even play him! Luckily for the Clippers, PG Shaun Livingston can fill in for Cassell when Cassell goes crazy.
Golden State – The return of retired Don Nelson! I still can’t believe he wants to coach again. He’s out of his mind, but you really have to blame the guy who hired him, GM Chris Mullin.
Playoffs – 1st round
1-Miami over 8-Orlando – I was hoping to set up a “Revenge of Darko” contest between the Pistons and the Magic. But the numbers just don’t work.
5-Chicago over 4-New Jersey – Captain Kirk Hinrich finally gets his first playoff series victory. I didn’t come up with that name, I saw it on ESPN.
3-Detroit over 6-Washington – I want to pick Washington, but I think the Pistons can still make the 2nd round, even with the limited depth that they have.
2-Cleveland over 7-Milwaukee – This will be a hard-fought series. Trying to stop the frontcourt of Villaneuva and Bogut, plus the shooting of Redd can be dangerous. I believe in Lebron though.
1 – Phoenix over 8-NO/Ok City – no chance for the Hornets.
5- Sacramento over 4- Minnesota – Ron Artest! Ron Artest!
2-Dallas over 7-Lakers – should be a great series.
3- San Antonio over 6-Houston – another great series.
2nd round
1-Miami over 5-Chicago – Many people forget, but the Bulls actually took Miami to 6 games last year. This year should be another hard fought Miami victory, so long as Wade stays healthy.
2-Cleveland over 3-Detroit – Yes, this could be considered the passing of the torch, the coming of Lebron, etc. More likely, it will be considered the end of the Pistons.
1-Phoenix over 5-Sacramento – The Ron Artest show comes to a screeching halt.
3-San Antonio over 2-Dallas – Tim Duncan rested most of the summer, and if Duncan’s back on top of his game, there’s no reason why Ginobilli, Parker, and Duncan can’t find a way to make one more run.
Conf. Finals
1-Miami over 2-Cleveland – I can’t stop going back and forth about this. It’s tough for me to envision my own Cavs making the Finals, especially considering the team isn’t that much improved over last year. I still don’t exactly trust the Miami supporting cast, and this would mean that they still are hungry and contributing. ESPN will be touting this series all day every day (Wade vs. Lebron).
3-San Antonio over 1-Phoenix – If Amare Stoudemire actually is healthy all season, this outcome may not happen. Like I said though, I think the Spurs can muster one more run (I hope).
NBA Finals
3-San Antonio over 1-Miami – As long as Duncan is healthy and Ginobilli somewhat stays on Wade, San Antonio is going to take home another championship! I'm also expecting Antoine Walker to put on a performance like John Starks in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals.
All-Gutsy Team
PF- D. Howard, Orlando
SF- James, Cleveland
C- Yao, Houston
SG- Wade, Miami
PG- C. Paul, NO/Ok. City Hornets
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